TD5 Engine in Land Rovers

If you have a new TD5 Discovery or Defender we'd love to hear your impressions, comparisons and experiences. Mail us

What is the issue ?

Some people have commented on the difficulty in controlling the acceleration at low speeds, both in and out of low range. The TD5 has FTC (fast throttle control) which allows longer pedal travel in low range and shorter pedal travel in high range. This should give more control in low range and better access to power in high range, thereby improving on road acceleration.

Comments received

PD Wharton
e-mail
6 June 2005

I have just read comments from Jonathan Edwards concerning 'jerky' throttle control in 1st/2nd gear with TD5 engines. I have experienced similar problems and have put up with them for 2 years since buying the Defender from my brother who bought it new (and experienced same problems). As speed bumps seem to be breeding faster than rabbits round here, I was considering having it 're-chipped' by a LR specialist in the Midlands, but was reluctant to go down that road when quoted a cost of Ł500+VAT!!! I've tried Jonathans suggestion of letting the clutch right out before accelerating and it's like magic!!! Problem solved and saved me a packet! Don't know why it works, but it does and suggest everyone tries it before going to a lot of expense. Bring back the good old TDi!!

Claus Jensen
e-mail
22 September 2003

The Discovery TD5 saga.
I own a Disco TD5 2002 Model and boy am I an unhappy camper.
Problem 1:
From day one I experienced problems with this car, especially the
uncontrolled jerking between 2800-3000refs. Everything from airflowmeter to
jetcalibration to ECU was replaced. After 1 year and the last 3 weeks in the
workshop the problem was apparently found. Software issues!
Problem 2: Electric window system broken. Replaced and hopefully it will
last.
Problem 3: Electronic Door locks. Passenger Door broken and replaced.
Tailgate door broken and replaced.
Problem4: Tracktion control not functioning front left. Not fixed.
Problem 5: DUST DUST DUST. This car seems to be only half completed. I have
never in my life seen so many missing dustproofing rubbers.
I think for the price I paid for this car, there should be a hell of a lot
more quality available. I also recognize the fact that this car may be one
of the few Disco's with excessive faults on it. But if you get stuck in the
Ugab, you feel like wrapping this car around the next landrover dealers
neck.
I would love to take the landrover crew for some SERIOS off-road testing in
the terrain, have the cars stranded and let them push them home. Where did
they get the quality awards from and what for?
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to air my frustration.

Jonathan Edwards
e-mail
18 October 2002

Dear Landy-on-line

Thank you, for the great site. I would like to submit some information regarding the TD5.

I own a 1998 Defender 110 TD5. When I purchased the vehicle I was very disappointed as it had this terrible jerking problem when pulling away from a stand still. Even when traveling at slow speeds in the game reserve in 2^nd gear it had the same problem.

I contacted 3 or 4 different Land Rover agents and nobody could help. I tried the Technical Consultant mentioned in your site and had no joy, however I took my Defender into Land Rover Port Elizabeth and they downloaded some new downloads onto my ECU.

The jerking is a lot less if not gone and the vehicle seems a lot smoother.

I would like to highlight something that I have learned while driving the TD5 which is different from driving my Defender 110 TDi 300. ( This is my 3^rd Land Rover, both others were TDi 300’s )

When pulling away from rest, let out the clutch pedal completely before you accelerate. You will find that it will not stall and the jerking will disappear completely. You can also cruise in 2^nd gear without touching the throttle and enjoy the game viewing as the motor just ticks over. It takes some getting used to as this is a completely different way of driving. I found that this solved my problem. Another plus that I have discovered was to replace my standard air filter element with a K&N replacement type. It fits into the standard air filter box and is very cost effective as it is a “ washable “ type of element and can be re-used for many future services.

Keep up the good work.

Hennie van den Berg
e-mail
2 April 2001

After 90 000 funtastic km in my Defender Tdi (96 model) I "upgraded" to the TD5 Defender 6 months and 10 000 km ago. Biggest differences are: lots more power, lot less smoke, lot less noise, lot more diesel burnt (7,4 km/l where my TDi regularly did better than 8,5 km/l). The power is great, although mine also needed adjustment to overcome the severe turbolag at low revs.

The reduction in black cloud on startup is impressive - no longer necessary to check in your mirror that your hosts are clear of the exhaust before you start, or that some poor guy isn't parked next to you with an open window right next to the exhaust (as happened to some unfortunate smoker in Pretoria parked next to me)

Disappointments:

1. After 50 years of offroad vehicle design and amidst all the fancy electronics, and slowly fading interior lights, still no visor mirror for the passenger? Does LR research show that Defender drivers only marry rough and tough females? I actually know quite a few Defender owners with surprisingly ladylike wives, or are we the exceptions?

2. Still on the visor: It still can't swing sideways! Such exquisite luxuries are reserved only for Discovery and Range Rover drivers? Same research probably show that Defender owners are always driving due West towards the sunset like in the movies, never to the North or South?

3. The radio. Albeit to my uninformed eye a very fancy model, it's too fancy for my liking. I prefer a radio with numbered preset buttons. If I press 4 I want my station, I don't want to scan all 6 to find my choice. Plus the search and preset buttons look so much alike, that I end up searching from scratch most times.

4. Gearbox clearance. Also after 50 years experience from the "best by far", a gearbox that knocks against the floorpanel when going through bad tar patches that even my Jetta can negotiate with ease. Come on, Land Rover!

But still a great vehicle! The mags grow on you after a while, and the luxury of being able to talk on your cellphone (and to each other) while driving enhanced our love affair with Land Rovers and each other.

And the Fuel Throttle Control? When I asked Broadway Land Rover in Witbank to check if my Defender was fitted with the correct chip, I was told it hasn't got such a thing. :-) I'll get it checked by Cusson's whenever I'm in that area again....

Paul Harms
e-mail
1 December 2000

I agree with the difficulty in controlling acceleration at low speed.

My recently purchased new TD5 Defender feels as though it is sluggish at low speed.

I took it to Safari Center Braynston's off road track recently. I trouble at very steep inclines to control the speed, low range, difflock attacking it at about 2200RPM I had to back off several times to get up.

All in all a great vehicle however.

Will somebody please tell those LR sales persons out there that the consumption is NOT 10 km/L (my pet hate!)

Tom Overton
e-mail
3 April 2000

Should your TD5 Defender be jerky in low range and high range 1st & 2nd, you should ask your dealer to check that your vehicle has the correct throttle
control unit fitted. I had mine changed by Auto Alpina (Boksburg) and my
vehicle is now much smoother. For your information the old control unit's
part No. was MSB110170 and the new one is MSB101171. The contact person at Land Rover is Pierre Dieperink, Technical Consultant tel (012) 522 2691 /2255 (012) 522 2284 / 4479 e-mail pierre.dieperink@bmw.co.za

Land Rover TD5 Engine